the image. The memory. When we finally succumb and make love it will be both one of the greatest and worst days of my life.
But, not today.
I looked away, my breath was as weak as my smile. “So, the grand gesture of remorse. Balloons? Fireworks? Skywriting?”
Her answering smile was relief mixed with shadowed disappointment. I closed my eyes, swallowing the impulse to kiss her. Kiss her and fucking be done with it.
She gave me a moment, leaning back expansively, her tone forcefully cheery. “That would only require money, not effort. I want sweat and tears, Lia. Let’s meet in the middle. What about one of your famous beach blowouts?”
Hmm. I cut my eyes to Meghan.
“She likes the ocean, does she? Swims well?” Brenda asked, mouth twitching.
I raised my brow, taking a sip of water. “Amazing aquabatics.”
She smiled despite herself. Shook her head. “Who will you invite?”
“Whomever you want, dear. Even Married John, if you like.”
She grimaced. “No. But there’s a new guy in IT I’ve been eyeing. Aaron something...”
I knew him. He would be a good match for Brenda. Too good.
Her dark eyes studied me. I’ve never outright sabotaged her romances, but I’ve never played wing-man, either. The idea of her with someone who loved her pleased me. The thought of her turning away from loving me filled me with dread.
“I’ll invite him,” I said softly. “I do want you to be happy.”
Azina interrupted, hand moving around Meghan’s shoulder. “Are we having another party?”
Meghan inconspicuously tried to inch her shoulder away, making me smile into my cup.
“It appears so.”
My phone and Brenda’s rang almost instantaneously. We rolled our eyes as we checked the caller id. Brenda received three texts at once and showed one to me.
“There’s a work “emergency”. Zi can you drop us off there and drive the car back home?”
“Sure.” She glanced at Meghan. “Are you coming home with me?”
“What? No! I, uh, have interviews to conduct anyway.”
Brenda looked at her watch, grinning. “It’s almost 5:30. Everyone who hasn’t left for the day is probably leaving soon.” She smiled helpfully, “Since the dinner party is at 7:30, there’s no reason to stay in the office.”
Meghan shot her a look. “Thank you, Brenda . But I need to stop by my hotel room to get ready for tonight's party, anyway.”
Everyone turned to look at her and her very baby-gazelle-like stumble.
She closed her eyes as Zi chuckled. “Perfect. We’ll swing by your hotel room before heading home. I’ll help you pick out something… nice.”
The others piled into the car. I pulled Zi aside. Kissed her fondly.
“Be nice.”
“Lia.” She watched my eyes. “If I’m not nice… have you asked?”
I tugged a errant tendril of her hair. “Ocean.”
She grinned and nodded, kissing me behind the ear before going to the driver’s seat, the curve of her ass and the bounce of her breasts making heads turn.
I slipped in the back with Meghan, who jumped nervously when she saw me.
“Come here.”
She practically leapt into my arms and I held her, kissing her neck.
“If you would prefer Zi to leave you alone, say so now and I will speak with her.”
She shivered but kept silent. Her emotions warring with her innate sense of self preservation. Desire won.
After a moment her eyes slid to me. “Are you upset?”
“Of course not. I care for both of you.”
She sighed. “I don’t know what, if anything, I want to… you know, do with her.”
“I told her your safe word.”
“What!” She flushed hard, slinking down.
I smiled, kissing the top of her head. “She generally has stronger… tastes than I. I felt it prudent for her to know.”
Meghan had covered her eyes, but I could feel the curiosity peaking.
“Like, uh, what…like whips and stuff?”
My own pulse quickened with the undercurrent of eagerness threading her
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